For more than one hundred and fifty years Unitarians and Universalists have had a presence in Albany, with over 80 of those years spent in the current, although then smaller, FUUSA location. Members have been actively involved in our local community, national movements and global issues from our Washington Avenue, Albany location. A very brief overview of significant events over these years follows. To learn about FUUSA's history in greater detail, we recommend First Unitarian Society of Albany 1842-1992, written by ten members of our society's History Committee. A more recent history of FUUSA and our expansion project is also available in the publication, Emerson Community Hall, A "Space Odyssey" -- 1990 - 2007.
The publication is available from the History and Archives Committee, First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany. A copy may also be borrowed from our Joy Library.
Moments in our History
| 1830 | Albany Universalists began meeting |
| 1842 | First Unitarian Society of Albany (FUSA) organized |
| 1844 | Abolitionists meet in the Society's Chapel |
| 1856 | Albany Unitarians and Universalists first conceived the union that only happened 100 years later |
| 1895 | Rev. Brundage revitalizes FUSA |
| 1925 | Current sanctuary and Channing Hall built |
| 1928 | Albany Inter-Racial Council formed at FUSA |
| 1932 | To assist poor women in the Depression, well-baby clinic held in Channing Hall |
| 1934 | FUSAn Frances Vosburg establishes first birth control clinic in Albany |
| 1956 | Refugees from Hungary welcomed by FUSA, thus beginning a half-century of refugee support |
| 1962 | New religious education and administrative wing added |
| 1967 | Members join with Black activists to protest $5 vote buying in Albany |
| 1970 | Many protests against Vietnam War |
| 1984 | Provided sanctuary for refugees from El Salvador and Guatemala |
| 1985 | Domestic Violence Task Force formed, eventually resulting in Equinox shelter |
| 1987 | FUSA declares itself a nuclear weapons free zone |
| 1991 | Began ongoing friendship with Partner Church in Szokefalva, Romania |
| 1992 | Congregation celebrated 150th anniversary of Unitarian Universalism in Albany |
| 1994 | Name changed to First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany (FUUSA) |
| 1998 | Congregation votes to become a Welcoming Congregation |
| 1998-99 | Built Habitat for Humanity house together with local Methodist churches |
| 2007 | Emerson Community Hall built |
| 2008 | FUUSA becomes a Green Sanctuary |
| 2010 | Second Habitat for Humanity house built |
